KIDNEY DISEASE affects approximately three million people across the UK - but experts warn few know the symptoms of the disease and what can cause it.

Despite the fact that approximately 3 million people across the UK have kidney disease, awareness and understanding about the condition is still low experts have said.

There are many common misconceptions surrounding who is at risk, what symptoms to look out for and treatments for the condition.

Many people with kidney disease are in the dark when it comes to what to expect, with up to a one million people going completely undiagnosed.

Dr Charlie Tomson, consultant nephrologist at Newcastle Hospitals and Kidney Research UK Trustee has separated some of the most common myths from the facts when it comes to kidney disease, in order to help people spot the key signs they should be looking out for.

“This is because symptoms often don’t materialise until the disease is in its more severe stages.

“The human body is usually able to cope with a significant reduction in kidney function, and therefore, problems aren’t always spotted early on. However, there are some key warning signs to be aware of that can characterise kidney disease.

"These include swollen ankles/ feet / hands, shortness of breath, blood and/ or protein in your urine, fatigue, an increased need to go to the toilet, and back pain in the renal area. If you are concerned about any of these symptoms it’s highly important to seek medical advice as soon as possible.”

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Dr Tomson said: “Eating a healthy and balanced diet is important for all of us. However, when it comes to kidney disease, a good diet can have a huge impact on the disease and prevent complications. Staying at a healthy weight and eating a diet low in salt and fat can help control your blood pressure, one of the main causes of kidney disease.

"When kidney disease reaches its later stages, patients are likely to work closely with a dietitian to help manage their symptoms.”

There are multiple causes of kidney disease – FACT

Dr Tomson said: “Kidney disease has multiple causes, and often a combination of factors can lead to an individual developing it.

“In some cases, long-term conditions which put a strain on the kidneys, such as poorly controlled blood pressure and diabetes, are the root cause.

"Other potential factors which can trigger kidney disease include large kidney stones, glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation), and injury to the kidneys.”

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Dr Tomson

Kidney disease varies in severity – FACT

Dr Tomson said: “There are five stages of kidney disease, which are determined by the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of the kidneys - how quickly the kidneys clean the blood.

“However, if a patient reaches stage 5 kidney disease, it usually means that they will need a transplant. Due to this, it’s really important to screen ‘at-risk’ people because treatment can delay the progression of kidney disease and even, in some instances, reverse its onset."

Dr Tomson said many people with kidney disease are able to live a normal life and just need to make sure they are managing their condition through regular check ups, medication and exercise.

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Dr Tomson said: “As mentioned, kidney disease can vary in levels of severity. Therefore, not everyone who is diagnosed will reach the stage in which they experience kidney failure and need dialysis. Usually, our kidneys filter the blood, removing harmful waste products and excess fluid, and turning these into urine. However, if you experience kidney failure, your kidneys might not be able to do this effectively, and therefore, dialysis can assist with this process.

Thankfully, only a small proportion of those with kidney disease will reach this stage.

Only the elderly get kidney disease – MYTH

Dr Tomson said: “Kidney disease is commonly associated with getting older, however, it’s important to note that anyone at any age can get kidney disease. Therefore, everyone should be aware of the signs and symptoms, eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.”

You can cure chronic kidney disease – MYTH

“Once kidney disease has reached a chronic stage, unfortunately there is no cure," said Dr Tomson.

"The aim of treatment is to help manage the disease by controlling symptoms, reducing complications and slowing progression.

"Although most people who have kidney disease will need to take medicine to manage it, it’s essential that these people also exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, reduce their salt intake and keep their blood sugar low. When kidney disease becomes chronic, dialysis or a kidney transplant can be the only options.”

Dr Tomson said: “Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur as the result of bacteria getting into the urinary system and multiplying. This can lead to swelling, pain when passing urine, and urgency to go to the toilet.

“However, UTIs do not usually lead to lasting kidney damage if treated correctly. It is important to note that sometimes a UTI can be a sign of something underlying that can cause kidney damage, such as kidney stones.”